Painter. He is recognized as a prolific 20th century American painter and illustrator, who captured the American way of life, touching on current events and simple values. Most known as an oil-on-canvas painter, he produced over 4,000 paintings yet was a book illustrator of more than forty books. Born in New York City, he had a desire to be an artist from a very young age. At age 14, he enrolled in the Chase School of Art, which later became New York School of Art. In 1910, he left to study art at the National Academy of Design, and later transferred to the Art Students League, where he studied with famed artists Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman. He found success early, painting his first commissioned pieces before his 16th birthday. As a teenager, he was hired as the Art Director for "Boy's Life," the official publication of the Boy Scouts of America. He remained in this relationship for 64 years. Settling in to New Rochelle, New York, he set up a studio, producing artwork for various magazines. In 1916, he sold his first painting to "The Saturday Evening Post" magazine, starting a 47-year relationship. When he moved his family to Arlington, Vermont, his paintings began to reflect small-town America. In 1943, inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech, he painted the series called the "Four Freedoms," which is considered by many to be his finest work. During World War II, he captured war-inspired events in paint such a "Rosie Riveter" in July of 1943, "Willie Gillies: Package From Home" in 1941, and "Disabled Veteran" in 1944. With his unique sense of humor, his style included painting himself into any large crowd scenes and a 1960 self-portrait of him painting himself. In 1953, he moved his family to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. After 322 magazine covers, he ended his 47-year stretch with the "Saturday Evening Post" in 1962, moving to "Look" magazine, for who he worked the next ten years. During the 1960s, he painted a series of magazine covers documenting the Civil Rights era. In 1973, he established a trust to preserve his artistic legacy with the Stockbridge Historical Society, who founded the Norman Rockwell Museum. In 1977, in failing health, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor for an American citizen. He married three times: His first marriage was to his model, Irene O'Connor, and the 14-year marriage ended in divorce in 1930; the second was to a school teacher, Mary Barstow, and the couple had three sons; and as a widower, he married a retired teacher, Mary Punderson.

Painter. He is recognized as a prolific 20th century American painter and illustrator, who captured the American way of life, touching on current events and simple values. Most known as an oil-on-canvas painter, he produced over 4,000 paintings yet was a book illustrator of more than forty books. Born in New York City, he had a desire to be an artist from a very young age. At age 14, he enrolled in the Chase School of Art, which later became New York School of Art. In 1910, he left to study art at the National Academy of Design, and later transferred to the Art Students League, where he studied with famed artists Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman. He found success early, painting his first commissioned pieces before his 16th birthday. As a teenager, he was hired as the Art Director for "Boy's Life," the official publication of the Boy Scouts of America. He remained in this relationship for 64 years. Settling in to New Rochelle, New York, he set up a studio, producing artwork for various magazines. In 1916, he sold his first painting to "The Saturday Evening Post" magazine, starting a 47-year relationship. When he moved his family to Arlington, Vermont, his paintings began to reflect small-town America. In 1943, inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech, he painted the series called the "Four Freedoms," which is considered by many to be his finest work. During World War II, he captured war-inspired events in paint such a "Rosie Riveter" in July of 1943, "Willie Gillies: Package From Home" in 1941, and "Disabled Veteran" in 1944. With his unique sense of humor, his style included painting himself into any large crowd scenes and a 1960 self-portrait of him painting himself. In 1953, he moved his family to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. After 322 magazine covers, he ended his 47-year stretch with the "Saturday Evening Post" in 1962, moving to "Look" magazine, for who he worked the next ten years. During the 1960s, he painted a series of magazine covers documenting the Civil Rights era. In 1973, he established a trust to preserve his artistic legacy with the Stockbridge Historical Society, who founded the Norman Rockwell Museum. In 1977, in failing health, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor for an American citizen. He married three times: His first marriage was to his model, Irene O'Connor, and the 14-year marriage ended in divorce in 1930; the second was to a school teacher, Mary Barstow, and the couple had three sons; and as a widower, he married a retired teacher, Mary Punderson.

Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson